Salsa
Left Turn (Lady's)
The counter-clockwise sibling. A left underarm turn that often gathers the follow into a closed hold.
Coach's notes — the how & why
What This Move Is
The lead raises the L-to-R hand and guides the follow slightly forward and right, then leads a counter-clockwise (left) rotation under the arm — frequently bringing his right hand to her back to settle her into a closed embrace. So it can either return to open or change the position to closed.
Key Points
- Lead: Lead her forward-then-around, not sideways; if closing, catch her back cleanly on the resolve.
- Follow: Rotate counter-clockwise under the arm without dropping your frame or over-rotating.
- Timing: On1 prep ~5, rotate 6-7, resolve 8-1. On2 prep ~6, rotate 7-8, resolve 2.
- Common mistake: Follow over-rotating or collapsing frame; lead pushing sideways instead of forward-then-around.
Style Notes
"Left turn" overlaps with the "inside turn" off a cross-body. Its open-to-closed variant is a handy quiet connector into HOME B (closed) when the music calls for body-contact work.
Quick notes, not instruction — always learn moves in person with a qualified teacher.
- Musical use
- Level
- Beginner
- Type
- Frame
- Style
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